We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Jiaxing Guo ("JG").
Sean Jiaxing Guo is an industrial and footwear designer based in Los Angeles. With a keen focus on design and 3D creation, he has honed his craft through years of experience working in top-tier product design studios, interior design studios, and cutting-edge fabrication labs. Sean approaches his work at the intersection of design, technology, and fashion with a dynamic perspective. His bold and imaginative design solutions seamlessly blend form, function, and beauty.
Jiaxing Guo Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Jiaxing Guo.
Jiaxing Guo Design - Silver Siren Speaker
Designer Interview of Jiaxing Guo:
DI: Could you please tell us more about your art and design background? What made you become an artist/designer? Have you always wanted to be a designer?
JG : My first degree was a bachelor of engineering, so I have the training in science and technology. After I graduated from the first university, I realized I have a strong sense of self-expression. Because I was not a really good talker, so I thought design could be a great tool for me to achieve something from my perspective. So I started working as a 3D prototyper for a design company. I worked in the maker lab with other designers, engineers, to **build prototypes.** After 2 years, I realized I need to know more about design systematically to be a “legit” designer, and that’s why I came to LA, to study industrial design.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
JG : Now I’m freelancing in LA. I’ve worked in product design studios, interior design studios, and fabrication labs and developed innovative approaches and experiences at the intersection of industrial design, technology, and fashion.
DI: What is "design" for you?
JG : It’s a tool, a language, or a way of processing the world.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
JG : I’m focusing on digital creation and product design.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
JG : Probably the Tŷ Nant water bottle by Rose Lovegrove. It just good and beautiful.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
JG : It was a product for scooters. I’m glad they made the real prototype.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
JG : Human Skin.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
JG : It’s pretty random.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
JG : The concept and the execution.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
JG : It’s hard to say. Depends on what kind of product I’m working on.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
JG : Energized.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
JG : The concept.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
JG : I think as human, we all have the same responsibilities for society and environment.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
JG : The process of achieve a thing could be seen as the process of designing. The definition of design is getting more vague.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
JG : It was at my gradshow in LA.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
JG : I get most inspirations from nature.
DI: How would you describe your design style? What made you explore more this style and what are the main characteristics of your style? What's your approach to design?
JG : I would say irrational and emotional. I don’t want to be a designer who can only solve problems.
DI: Where do you live? Do you feel the cultural heritage of your country affects your designs? What are the pros and cons during designing as a result of living in your country?
JG : LA, California, but I’m from China. I don’t really feel the cultural heritage, maybe because of my design education.
DI: How do you work with companies?
JG : Communication.
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
JG : Better communication and trust. They cannot select, because they have to try.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
JG : A Good design process includes 4 steps, critical thinking, attention to detail, and visual communication, execution. I think I have the ability to see the bigger picture, while not losing sight of the details. I can create and deliver a concept at a certain level while also understanding the execution difficulties from an engineering perspective.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
JG : My adidas OZELIA shoe, my Yeezy Gap hoodie, a book by Jeff Staple, iPhone SE, and toilet paper.
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
JG : I don’t have a typical day that I can describe.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
JG : Be bold, be crazy, be patient.
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
JG : +: be able to design. -: Sometimes you have to listen to someone else.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
JG : Detail, detail, and detail.
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
JG : Visualization
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
JG : I use my mind to find the right tools. There is no specific one.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
JG : I would some time management tools, and a to-do list.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
JG : It depends.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
JG : How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
DI: What was your most important job experience?
JG : It is right now, which is being a freelancer.
DI: Who are some of your clients?
JG : Kelly Wearstler, Simplifyber, Crosby Studios…
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
JG : Projects that I can make decisions.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
JG : Getting more projects. Go big.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
JG : Mostly by myself.
DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
JG : I’m designing some digital clothing.
DI: How can people contact you?
JG : My website: https://seans.works/